A letter from the Editors Rail transportation and all other forms of transportation are undertaken with a goal in mind—to get from one place to another. Whether it is to visit grandma, to go out for dinner, to go to a job interview or to go sit on a rock somewhere, all of our transportation choices are made with a goal to connect. Railroads have played a significant role in helping us to CONNECT throughout the world, as well as here in Vermont. Rail was the primary connector of people to loved ones, to places of relaxation, to centers of opportunity, and more, until the development of the automobile. For the last half century, trains have been found to be less fast, less efficient and gen- erally less convenient than automotive transportation. In 2013 we believe the time has come to reevaluate the benefits and liabilities of rail travel and automobile travel. This magazine, Vermont by Rail, was originally designed by us to help rail travelers find reasonable lodging, dining, support and transportation services along the route of the Vermonter. While this remains our primary objective, we have been discovering that trains offer Connection opportunities that we had not imagined. Many of those opportunities are not enjoyed by auto travelers, at least not in the same way. Trains Connect us with our past, as well as with our future. Riding a train aligns us more closely with our energy resources. A train can transport an individual from one point to another at a fraction of the cost that is required by automobile travel. That takes into consideration the costs of fuel and the environmental costs related to fuel consumption. Trains also help us to Connect with the earth. One ride through the hills and valleys of the Winooski River valley tells this story. On a train you can also Connect with your own body and its needs regarding Rest or Sustenance or simple Relaxation. So, take Vermont By Rail Summer/Fall 2013 TAKE A TRAIN! Northeast By Rail - Take A Train! 468 South Street, Springfield, VT 05156 (802)885-1362 phone • (850)524-5503 cell www.northeastbyrail.com • VtbyRail@gmail.com Layout, design & illustration www.carolruzicka.com Nittany Valley Offset Printers 1015 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801 Sales@NittanyValley.com • www.nittanyvalley.com (814)238-3071 phone • (814)238-3051 fax a nap if you want but don’t try this while driving a car. Trains allow us more opportunities to Connect with people too. You can look someone in the eyes while you speak or listen. Or you can Connect by phone or email and Enjoy Conversation without all the multi-tasking required in driving an automobile. So, this is our Connection Guide. We would like to hear about your experiences of Connecting by rail in Vermont. Send us your stories, your ideas and your suggestions as to how we can improve rail Connections in Vermont. Send them to us at Vtbyrail@gmail.com. We will read all submissions—your input is important to us! Enjoy the Ride and thanks for your support! — Mark Koch and Deb Murphy A letter from The State of Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing Contents | 2013 Vermont Map............................................. Page 1 THE VERMONTER Stop 1 Brattelboro, VT........................... Page 2 Stop 2 Bellows Falls, VT....................... Page 5 WS 3 Claremont, NH............................. Page 8 WS 4 Windsor/Ascutney, VT.................. Page 9 Stop 5 White River Junction, VT........... Page 11 WS 6 Randolph, VT................................ Page 13 Stop 7 Montpelier, VT............................ Page 14 Stop 8 Waterbury, VT............................. Page 15 Stop 9 Essex Junction/Burlington, VT... Page 16 Stop 10 St. Albans, VT.......................... Page 17 Train Information ...................................... Page 18 ETHAN ALLEN EXPRESS Stop 11/12 Rutland/Castleton, VT......... Page 19 Vermont Ambassador Reference Sheet... Page 20 Dear Visitors, Welcome to green travel in the Green Mountain State! The Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing (VDTM) has strong ties to the state’s rail system; it’s a well established resource for promoting Vermont as an outstanding travel destination. The state’s rail network offers historic ties to Vermont’s land as well as modernly efficient and eco-friendly ways to travel—plus, it’s a whole lot of fun! This guide, Vermont by Rail, is designed to help connect you to local hotels, dining, shopping and ground transportation services. A car-free Vermont vacation is easy and affordable. Visit www.VermontVacation.com/Amtrak for travel packages and $12 one-way in-state fares as well as 20 percent discounts on traveling to Vermont by rail. A visitor’s experience is largely depen- dent upon the time spent with the locals, front line staff, groundskeepers, as well as professional tour operators—traveling by rail enhances your oppor- tunity to arrive in the heart of a community and to meet its people. Behind the scenes, state agencies and rail partnerships continuously promote and collaborate with these industry partners to ensure that visitors and Vermonters who are traveling have the best experience possible. Because of the “natural” nature of our state, rail travel has unique opportunities to sit back and take in the miles of vibrant forests and mountains en route to bustling pedestrian friendly downtowns. Welcome all aboard! Megan Smith, Commissioner Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing TAKE A TRAIN! Summer/Fall 2013 Vermont By Rail Amtrak service stations Montreal # 10 St. Albans # 9 Essex Junction/Burlington # 8 Waterbury # 7 Montpelier # 6 Randolph # 12 Castleton # 5 White River Junction # 11 Rutland # 4 Windsor # 3 Claremont NH 2 Bellows Falls # 1 Brattleboro # Washington, DC 1 | Vermont By Rail Summer/Fall 2013 TAKE A TRAIN! # Amtrak Stations Vermonter (Amtrak) Ethan Allen Express (Amtrak) Planned expansion 1 ► Brattleboro, VT stop Riding north from Amherst, MA into Vermont, comes the first stop of the Amtrak Vermonter in Brattleboro, Vt. Here the Connecticut River and the West River converge. In this Connecticut River Valley the story of the Abenaki Indians, British and French soldiers and settlers from Europe un- folded. The Abenaki often found themselves at battle in this river valley. Fighting for land, safety and sometimes, pure survival, these Indians have left an indelible mark on the landscape here. Notorious for their efforts to accommodate and join with rival groups and tribes so as to preserve them- selves and their progeny, the Abenaki Indians enjoyed a rich connection with the wildlife of the Connecticut valley as they Brattleboro Connecting Info: OS-onsite Nby-nearby Attendant - OS Restrooms - OS Food/Snacks - Nby (see Ads) Lodging - Nby (see Ads) Short term Parking - OS Long Term Parking - OS Shopping - Yes Nby (see Ads) ATM - Nby Travel Connections: Taxi - Yes Car rental - Yes (800)736-8222 Bike rental - Nby Public Transportation - Nby “A town within a town” Art Deco Era Boutique Hotel 1 block from the station Rail Travelers Special Room, Dinner & Movie Mountain View Rooms, Four Screen Art Deco Cinema, latchis.com 50 Main Street- Brattleboro, VT 802-254-6300 / 800-798-6301 TAKE A TRAIN! Summer/Fall 2013 Vermont By Rail | 2 ...Brattleboro, VT continued sustained themselves by The French and fishing the rivers and hunt- Abenaki also ing the surrounding hills. shared a pain- ful and exciting French settlers also staked their claim in this history of conflict region. With great apprecia- over this territory tion for the courage and skill and its abundant of the Abenaki, the French resources. In settlers likewise shared a the 1760’s the deep love for the natural beauty of this region which the French were driven out resolutely by the British. With Abenaki had been enjoying for decades, even centuries. the French, the Abenaki retreated to the Quebec area of Canada where the French and Indian cultures and people continue to coalesce to this day. In Brattleboro, the influence of these converging British, French and Who knew you could fi nd such a variety of American-made art and craft in Brattleboro? Abenaki cultures remains the corner- stone and their influences are deeply held and transported to the world via a vibrant community of artists and artisans. The Brattleboro Museum and Art Center (BMAC) houses some of these local artistic offerings. On the fourth Friday of each month, the Gal- lery Walk (see Gallerywalk.com) shares further expressions of the life and culture of the Abenaki, the British and the French Vermont Artisan D E S I G N S Fine Art & Contemporary American Craft 106 Main St. Brattleboro,VT vtart@sover.net • www.vtart.com cultures in what is now, the Brattleboro community. Musical, visual, and theatri- cal presentations abound as the town of Brattleboro offers the gifts of this com- munity culminating in the “Strolling of the Heifers Parade” through downtown 3 | Vermont By Rail Summer/Fall 2013 TAKE A TRAIN! Brattleboro on the first weekend of June each year. This the area. We’ll get you there by Brattleboro Taxi or one of event is part of the Slow Living Expo which celebrates the public transportation services available! the wonders of local farming, local food, local music and sustainable living in the 21 st century. Take the Farm, Food in the nation by many tourist publications. Come see for and Fiber tour. And if you missed the “Running of the Bulls” yourself. You are sure to find a warm welcome from in Spain this year, join us for the alternative. Stroll thru Brattleboro and Marshall, the station attendant. From Brattleboro, voted one of the top 10 small towns Brattleboro, and enjoy the Beauty, the Art and the Culture preserved and presented in the numerous galleries. Walk from the “Vermonter” Amtrak train station and take in the delights of southern Vermont. Stop at the new Whetstone restaurant across the train tracks and spend the night at the Latchis Hotel or one of the many Bed and Breakfasts in Café A La Cart Wine od Fo Sp ir i ts Come join us for the best burgers in town Tues.-Sat. from 11 am – 5 pm. You can also join us for dinner conveniently right next door at - PETER HAVENS - Wed- Sat from 6-10pm. Peter Havens features specials daily. Come check out our exciting new menu! 32 Elliot Street, Brattleboro Vermont 802-257-3333  TAKE A TRAIN! Summer/Fall 2013 Vermont By Rail | 4 2 ► Bellows Falls, VT stop A 30 minute train ride north out of Brattleboro delivers power source the Vermonter rider through the Vermont hills into the town for the expand- of Bellows Falls, VT. Settled in 1753 by English colonists, ing wood and the falls of Bellows Falls were long ago identified by the paper industry Abenaki as a rich source of food and nourishment. Salmon of corporate and shad harvests from this section of the Connecticut giants like River are historically recounted. International Bellows Falls, the 2 Vermonter destination, is also nd Paper. Housed Bellows Falls Connecting Info: OS-onsite Nby-nearby Attendant - OS Restrooms - OS Food/Snacks - OS/Nby (see Ads) Lodging - (see ads) Short term Parking - OS Long Term Parking - OS Shopping - Nby (see ads) ATM - Nby Travel Connections: Taxi - Yes (802)376-1315 Car rental - Yes (800)736-8222 Bike rental - No Public Transportation - Yes (see Ad) the sight of one of the first canal systems in America and along the river George Washington is said to have been one of the first and canal, the surveyors of this canal/train system. The Bellows Falls Ca- wood and nal system was constructed from 1791-1802. Eight locks paper industry around the gorge of the river served to guide boats through created great wealth and prosperity for the newly arriving the rushing waters while these waters also served as the British colonists and their ancestors. The depression of the 1920s seriously challenged this rampant development such Readmore Inn 1 Hapgood Street Bellows Falls VT read@sover.net - www.readmore@sover.net 802-463-9333 Savor the Vermont Inn experience! Comfortable elegance with all the modern conveniences Local foods, lusciously prepared! We’re just a five minute walk from the Amtrak station but we will gladly pick you up! 5 | Vermont By Rail Summer/Fall 2013 TAKE A TRAIN! Destination Bellows Falls You can get there from here!! Your Multimodal Transportation Hub “on the island in Bellows Falls”. Ride Amtrac or Greyhound each with 2 trips daily - 7 days a week New York, Montreal, Burlington, Boston, Rutland, Manchester, Concord and Portland. Ride the Current and the Village Taxi for local destinations. Private Charter Anywhere with Greyhound or Lincoln Transportation www.destinationbf.tk (802)460-0681 Ship. Track. Manage. • Same Day Delivery - Morning shipment of Lab samples and fresh food to New York, Boston, Burlington. Call for shipment times and details. • Large bulky packages under 100lbs - car bumpers and doors nationwide. It’s fast. It’s easy. We are ready to ship when you are shpgreyhound.com Destination Bellows Falls • 50 Depot Street Amtrak-Greyhound Daily Service & Tickets (802)460-0681 that today, the Robertson Paper Co is BF’s only surviving paper business. Separating the canal and the Connecticut River is a stretch of land 15 acres in size that is known as The art and food. Downtown development efforts in Bellows Island. Incubator businesses are fostered here. New and Falls also strive to connect visitors and entrepreneurs to technologically driven industries which reflect the chang- the opportunities of the 21 st century, as well as a historic ing energy and resource needs of the community and past. Walking tours of the 2000 year old petroglyphs and wider world come together in this place, Bellows Falls, VT informative guided tours around historic industrial mills are open and ready for your consumption. Regarding Bellows Falls is the home of the oldest Opera House in the United States. Renovated and open for special the carvings of faces on the walls of stone around Bel- events, the Bellows Falls Opera House offers a series lows Falls (the Petroglyphs), their meaning and purpose of old time and modern movies, as well as live music remain a mystery to travelers and residents of this area. events. Bellows Falls entices young artists to the area Many have guessed that the Petroglyphs represent the through a community art incubation program. Like most sacred distinction which the Abenaki attributed to these small villages on the rural Vermont landscape, Bellows powerful waters. Others say that the faces represent indi- Falls strives to grow and sustain itself with local music, viduals who may have been lost in the roaring river below. TAKE A TRAIN! Summer/Fall 2013 Vermont By Rail | 6 ...Bellows Falls, VT cont. Take a look for yourself. What do you think? Do you feel a connection to a culture of people 500 or 2000 years old? As you reflect, stop in and eat lunch at an old fashioned diner or take in a show at the Opera House, and dinner at Popolos in the historic Windham Hotel. Within walking Bellows Falls Petroglyphs distance is the Readmore Bed and Breakfast establishment and other downtown services. You will find the Bellows , B ELLLOWS F ALLS . OPERA HOUSE Falls community warm, inviting and very New England. Ground transportation is also available through Greyhound, CRT (local transit system), and taxi service. 802-463-3964 or visit us on the web at www.bfoperahouse.com ~Motel In The Meadow~ “Your all season, country home away from home” A small well-kept and charming motel, offering a quiet and comfortable stay with a variety of accommodations including kitchinettes, family room, Cable TV and air conditioning. Dogs are welcome. Stop in and visit the Gift Shop! Come and stay a day or a week! 802-875-2626 • Toll free 866-668-3514 936 Route 11 W. Chester, VT www.motelinthemeadow.com 7 | Vermont By Rail Summer/Fall 2013 TAKE A TRAIN! , ws 3 ► Claremont, NH Claremont, NH Connecting Info: OS-onsite Nby-nearby Attendant - No (Whistle Stop) Restrooms - No Food/Snacks - Nby 2 miles Lodging - Nby, 2 miles (603)542-0647 Short term Parking - OS Long Term Parking - OS Shopping - Nby 2 miles ATM - Nby 2 miles Travel Connections: Taxi - Yes (603)558-3116 Car rental - Yes (800)736-8222 Bike rental - No (603)542-BIKE Public Transportation - No The old train station in Claremont, NH is now the home of a bicycle shop, another business trying to facilitate con- nections in Claremont. Did you know that you can now have your bike shipped on Amtrak? The shipping boxes are readily available at this bike shop called the Claremont Cycle Depot (603) 542-2453. Like Bellows Falls to the south, Claremont was a prosperous industrial town in the early twentieth century. While some manufacturing remains, Claremont is trying The next stop of the Vermonter is not actually in Ver- to meet the social and economic challenges that have mont. It’s across the Connecticut River in Claremont, New become part of the life cycle of many New England towns. Hampshire. The actual train depot is almost 2 miles from the Monadnock Mills thrived here in Claremont and once made downtown area and making connections between these 2 linens for the ship, Titanic. Its operations ceased in the destinations can be quite challenging. Nonetheless, there is Depression. Other milling enterprises, related primarily to a wonderful restaurant and inn called the Common Man in pulp and paper production, are gone and sorely missed by Claremont. It also has a beautiful Opera House and some many. Some businesses have seized the inherent opportu- new, local artisan offerings including the New Socials club nities and are making sincere efforts to become part of the and restaurant right in the heart of town. solution to some tremendous challenges. We salute their efforts to transform and re-connect Claremont. What is a “whistle stop”? The definition of the term, “whistle stop”, comes from an old practice of many small rail stations. The station- master would “whistle” to the train engineer coming down the tracks so that the engineer would know to stop and pick up a passenger(s). Hearing no whistle, the engineer would know to keep the train moving to the next stop. A “whistle stop tour” involved a series of stops where a politician would emerge on the platform of the ca- boose and make a campaign speech to local citizens. This practice was most common in 1940’s and 1950’s. President Reagan revived this practice in 1984 as he made 5 “whistle stop” speeches from the Magellan train as it travelled from Dayton, OH to Toledo, OH. On the Vermonter line, Claremont, Randolph and Windsor are considered to be “whistle stops”. There is no stationmaster to alert engineers by whistle these days. Current communication on Amtrak is done by computer. TAKE A TRAIN! Summer/Fall 2013 Vermont By Rail | 8 4 ► Windsor/Ascutney, VT ws Windsor/Ascutney Connecting Info: The train crosses back into Vermont (heading north) just south of Windsor and ten minutes north of Claremont. Don’t OS-onsite Nby-nearby miss this view! Travelling north across the Connecticut Attendant - No (Whistle Stop) Restrooms - OS/Nby Food/Snacks - OS/Nby Lodging - Nby 4 blocks (see Ads) ATM - Nby Shopping - Nby Short term Parking - OS Long term Parking - OS River again you will soon see the longest covered bridge in Vermont, the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge. Imagine the traffic as millions of logs floated down the river for process- ing and production in the burgeoning cities to the south. Windsor is another mill town that has seen better days but is taking steps towards the future. It is known as the Travel Connections: Birthplace of Vermont-1777, although Vermont did not Taxi - Yes (802)738-9952 Car Rental - Yes (800)736-8222 Bike Rental - Yes (see Ad) Public Transportation - Yes (802)460-7433 actually become a state until 1791. Here the state constitu- tion was framed and signed. Windsor was the state capital of Vermont until 1805 when Montpelier became the official state capital. Windsor is probably best known for its Preci- sion Machine and Tool industry. In 1846, firearm manufacturers, Robbins and Lawrence, received a government contract to supply the military with weapons. This industry grew and developed throughout New England and there are a host of weapons manufacturers that remain in this region Luxury Boutique Accomodation in Windsor, Vermont of the country. The American Precision Museum is located in Windsor and is open daily from Memo- rial Day through October. Precision manufacturing became the hallmark in Windsor. There are mul- PURE • FRESH • VERMONT www.snapdragoninn.com 802-227-0008 tiple exhibits of machine tools, firearms, measur- ing, milling and early manufacturing devices on display at the museum. Don’t miss this one if you are visiting! The new Windsor Station is a restaurant and pub, as well as a train station. The station is pre- paring to return in July 2013 as the hub of trans- portation and community activity in the Windsor 9 | Vermont By Rail Summer/Fall 2013 TAKE A TRAIN! area. Paradise Sports, next to the station, is one way to Windsor district, meet your transportation needs when you disembark the visit the Old train. Rent a Bike! You can ride the trails along the Con- Constitution necticut River about 5 miles to Artisans Park where food House or one and adventure await. Or you can walk the downtown of the 70 other historic build- Paradise Sports  Bike Rentals  Bike repairs and replacements 802 674 6742 (right next to the Windsor train station) 38 Park Rd, Windsor, VT 05089 ings in this town. The Snapdragon Inn will take care of all your relaxation needs OR you can make the short trip to Holiday Inn Club Vaca- tions at the base of Mt. Ascutney. Enjoy Windsor, the 4 th stop on the Vermonter! Stop Off for a Spacious Resort Stay at the Holiday Inn Club Located near the Windsor station, Holiday Inn Club Vacations ® at Ascutney Mountain Resort is an ideal stop to add to your train trip. Spacious villa accomodations and fun, relaxing amenities are waiting at this charming retreat in the heart of the Vermont countryside. Don’t let this opportunity roll by— make your reservations today. Visit hiclubvacations.com/ascutneyresort OR call (866)591-0448 and use rate code IEVR2 TAKE A TRAIN! Summer/Fall 2013 Vermont By Rail | 10 stop 5 ► White River Junction, VT White River Junction Connecting Info: OS-onsite Nby-nearby Attendant on duty - OS Restrooms - OS Food/Snacks - OS/Nby (see Ads) Lodging - Nby (see Ads) ATM - OS/Nby Shopping - OS/Nby Short term parking - OS Long term parking - OS Travel Connections: Taxi - Yes, (802)281-8294 and (802)295-97878 Car Rental - Yes, (800)736-8222 Bike Rental No Public Transportation - (Adv.Transit)(802)295-1824 At the confluence of the White River and Connecti- cut River, White River Junction has long been a trans- portation center for Vermont. Around 1900 there were as many as 50 passenger trains travelling these lines on a daily basis. The original train depot was built in 1849. About 160 years since that time, daily passenger service continues and the Vermonter is scheduled for expansion all the way to Montreal in 2015-2016. The beautiful train station and Welcome Center here makes this one of the most hospitable and robust Transporta- tion Centers in the state of Vermont. This is the 5 th stop on the Vermonter line. White River Junction has become the home of some of the most innovative and creative business Next stop - White River Junction Vermont! Lodging passengers since 1849! On the National Historic register. An in-town country inn. . . with prices that Calvin Coolidge would appreciate (and did!) Across from the Amtrak station 39 S Main Street, White River Junction, VT 800-622-1124 11 | Vermont By Rail Summer/Fall 2013 TAKE A TRAIN! ventures in the region. The Center for Cartoon Stud- The Green Mountain Railroad runs Summer and ies, the Tip Top Media and Arts building, the Main Fall excursion trains from the White River Junction Street Museum and Northern Stage are just a few of train station using an original 1951 Rutland Railroad the WRJ offerings. Just across the tracks, the Hotel RS1 ALCO locomotive and passenger cars from the Coolidge is probably the most well known piece of 1930’s. What a wonderful way to view the beautiful historical architecture in the downtown district of White Vermont hillsides! White River Junction was voted River Junction. It serves rail travelers with comfort and one of the top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America by care just as it did in the 1920’s. Listed on the National Budget Travel. Once a great railroad hub, White River Register of Historic Places, Hotel Coolidge offers 30 Junction has reinvented itself as a harbor for artists. guestrooms with private baths, 5 function rooms and a Galleries and displays are open to the public. Join the gift shop. crowds on First Friday afternoons and evenings when artists and artisans of all kinds open doors with music, sculpting, paint, photography, etc. Three locations for 2013 including dinner trains, wine and beer tasting, tramp and hobo, entertainment trains from the Burlington waterfront! Fun, historical, and memorable! Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm. Closed Sat-Sun Call ahead, pick up or delivered. Fabulous sandwiches, paninis, smoothies, salads, daily soup, homemade chips, boxed lunches. Next to the Hotel Coolidge lobby Boho Cafe and Market 39 Main Street White River Jct, VT (802) 296-2227 TAKE A TRAIN! Summer/Fall 2013 Vermont By Rail | 12 6 ► Randolph, VT ws Randolph, VT is the 6 th stop on the Vermonter line. This town flowing region was Randolph Connecting Info: OS-onsite Nby-nearby Attendant on duty - No (Whistle Stop) Restrooms - No Food/Snacks - OS/Nby (see Ads) Lodging - Nby 3 miles (see Ad) ATM - Nby Shopping - Nby Short term Parking - OS Long term Parking - OS is the geographic center of Vermont. The wide streets downtown seriously threatened were a provision for an early plan to locate the state capital here. by Hurricane Irene The train station here was built in the 1870’s in what was then in 2011 as the White known as West Randolph. River swelled out of its Today, Randolph offers a lovely, walkable downtown area banks and collected with shops and restaurants surrounding the train stop. This is the most everything in its Travel Connections: ideal Vermont experience for travelers seeking relaxation and the path depositing tanks small town experience. Home to the Chandler Center for the Arts and beds, chicken and recently voted as having the “best small music hall” in New coops and houses England by Yankee Magazine, Randolph, Vt is one of the sweet- along its shores for Taxi - No (20 miles 802-476-4097) Car Rental - No Bike Rental - No Public Trans - Yes STAGECOACH (802)728-3773 est spots on the Vermonter line. Rest and rejuvenation opportuni- miles. Repairs con- ties abound. The Three Stallion Inn and Montague Golf Club offer tinue. Most have been completed and rail travelers again enjoy a the perfect opportunities for fun and connection. Connect with deep connection to the beauty of this region. nature—Take a hike and smell the flowers. Connect with your- self—Get a massage and take a nap as the birds sing. Connect with the past—Visit the historic Victorian architecture including the Second Empire Randolph Railroad Depot and Renaissance Revival Kimball Public Library. Riding north on the Vermonter, the train crisscrosses beneath Hwy I-89 a couple times before cruising past some old maple sugar houses and some dairy farms. These views can usually help rail travelers connect to the earth’s abundance, as well as OLPH D ND café, bakery, EPO A coffeehouse T R its unpredictability. Our natural connection to this wonderfully 2 Salisbury Street Randolph, Vermont Open Mon-Sat. 7am-3pm Sunday 7am-2pm Randolph’s Gathering Place 802-728-3333 13 | Vermont By Rail Summer/Fall 2013 TAKE A TRAIN! 7 ► Montpelier, VT stop , Montpelier Connecting Info: OS-onsite Nby-nearby Attendant - OS Montpelier, Restrooms - No Vt is the smallest Food/Snacks - No state capital in the Lodging - OS United States. The ATM - Nby 1 mile Shopping - Nby 1 mile population of this Short term Parking - OS town is still less than Long term Parking - OS 10,000. Govern- Travel Connections: ing is the primary Taxi - Yes (802)476-4097 industry in this town, Car Rental - Yes (800)736-8222 so the population Bike Rental - No can appear greater Public Transportation - No because of the daily travel of the politicians and their entourage and, for the curious public, businesses and individuals who support it. In 1843 the Vermont Central Railroad was chartered to build a rail line across the center of Vermont and then south to Windsor, Vt. Geographic and political interests combined to the creation of the train station in Montpelier and its loca- tion about one mile from the capital and downtown area. Transportation services from the train station to the capital and other landmarks is available by taxi, shuttle, etc. thru the Green Mountain Transit Agency. Just about 6 miles from Montpelier is located its neigh- boring city of Barre, Vt. There is a deposit of granite in Barre that is estimated to be 4 miles long, 2 miles wide and 10 miles deep. Barre Gray granite is known for its superior weather resistance due to its low iron content and it is val- ued all over the world. The granite mines and refining mills became the work grounds for more than 41 granite-related businesses in the area in 1914. Montpelier became impor- tant as a refining and shipping post for granite products harvested down the road in Barre, Vermont. This “smallest of state capitals” continues as fertile ground for cultural growth in Vermont and across the country because of its government, educational and business institu- tions. Montpelier is home to Vermont College, the New Eng- land Culinary Institute, the museum of the Vermont Historical Society and the T.W. Wood Gallery and Arts Center. This is the 7 th stop on the Vermonter line. TAKE A TRAIN! Summer/Fall 2013 Vermont By Rail | 14 stop 8 ► Waterbury, VT Restored in 2006, the Waterbury train station was origi- Waterbury Connecting Info: OS-onsite Nby-nearby ing operations persist nally built in 1875 and is the centerpiece of the village square. throughout Vermont. Ben and Jerry’s current- Waterbury now prospers as the home for many Vermont Attendant on duty - OS Restrooms - OS Food/Snacks - OS/Nby Lodging - OS (see Ad) ATM - OS/Nby Shopping - OS/Nby Short term Parking - OS Long term Parking - OS state offices and the Green Mountain Coffee Company, which ly produce about 1/3 of operates a coffee shop in the restored train station. Located its delights at its factory along the train tracks in an earlier time were woolen mills and in St. Albans while the canning factories, all now gone. Introduced to Vermont in Waterbury, VT produc- 1811, sheep raising and sheep farming were prominent in this tion and touring center region but profitability was seriously squeezed by competitive are known as its home. wool markets in other regions of the country. The climate and Visitors love this place, rough terrain of Vermont were ideal to raising sheep and many but especially the “flavor farmers undertook sheep farming as a secondary enterprise. of the day”. Sugar, milk Since the 1840’s dairy farming was generally found to be and cream are always promising starting ingredients. more profitable as large markets for cheese, butter and milk were opening in Boston and New York City. Ben and Jerry’s was the greatest natural disaster in Vermont history and this and Cabot are testaments to the enduring strength of the area was struck hard. Nine inches of rain in 36 hours added to dairy market although significant challenges to small farm- already swollen rivers coming out of the mountains. Over the Travel Connections: Taxi - Yes (see Ad) Car Rental - Yes (800) 736 8222 Bike Rental - No Public Transportation - Yes GMTA (802)223-7287 Before Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, the flood of 1927 doorway of the Waterbury station a horizontal strip of wood indicates the highest level floodwaters reached in 1927. As a result, the railroad lost 54 bridges and 253 miles of track, bankrupting it and leading to its sale to the Canadian National Railroad which owned it until 1995. Upon leaving the 8th stop of the Vermonter in Waterbury, the train winds through the Winooski River Valley. The Long Trail which extends 270 miles from Massachusetts to Canada crosses the rail tracks at Jonesville. Built by the Green Moun- tain Club between 1910 and 1930, the Long Trail was the oldest long distance hiking trail in the United States and is the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail. The Green Mountain Coffee experience comes to life in Waterbury Vermont’s beautifully restored, historic train station. Browse a gift shop full of handicrafts from around the world. Green Mountain Coffee Café & Visitor Center 1 Rotarian Place Waterbury, VT 05676 877-879-2326 15 | Vermont By Rail Summer/Fall 2013 TAKE A TRAIN! stop 9 ► Essex Junction, VT Before arriving at the 9 th stop at the Essex Junction sta- tion, the train passes through the campus of an IBM computer chip factory. IBM is Vermont’s largest employer. When the railroad was built in 1849, the mainline by- passed Burlington and a 7 mile branch was built which con- nected here in Essex Junction. An earlier four track station in which the tracks passed through the building had to be torn down in 1958 as freight cars grew too large for these accom- modations. The current facility reflects all the architectural charm of the era. A much larger Union Station was built in downtown Burlington in 1915 and remains today, restored and redeveloped by Main Street Landing. Essex Junction is experiencing a revival of its own these days. The downtown area around the station has been spruced up and a community group meets regularly to plan an annual Train Hop and other downtown activities. The largest and most prosperous city in Vermont is Burlington, a short taxi ride from the Essex Junction station. Essex Junction Connecting Info: OS-onsite Nby-nearby Attendant on duty - OS Restrooms - OS/Nby Food/Snacks - Nby Lodging - OS (see Ad) ATM - Nby Shopping - Nby Short term Parking - OS Long term Parking - OS Travel Connections: Taxi - Yes (see Ad) Car Rental - Yes, (800)736-8222 Bike Rental - No Public Transportation - Yes GMTA (802)223-7287 Burlington is the home of the University of Vermont (UVM). The population of Burlington has remained under 50,000 throughout its life. Its art, music, education and cultural offerings make it a treasure in the minds of many Vermonters. Saint Michaels College is another treasured institution in this city. It is a vibrant Catholic liberal arts college located on a beautiful 400 acre campus. Ferry service operates during the summer between downtown Burlington at Union Station and Port Kent NY, across Lake Champlain and connects with Amtrak’s Adiron- dack train from Montreal to Albany and New York. North of Essex Junction the train enters an area heavy with dairy farms and sugar maple trees. Fifteen minutes past Essex Junction the train crosses the Lamoille River on Georgia High Bridge and heads for St. Albans. Everywhere Taxi Of Vermont Train pickup service for Essex Jct/Burlington Amtrak Call us when you board the train and we’ll be waiting when you arrive! Handy reservation forms are available at 802-238-4121 www.everywheretaxi.com Make reservations on our website - pre-pay with Paypal or credit card. ASK US about some great places to eat, shop, the best lodging and the most popular night spots. We’re not just ANY taxi service. TAKE A TRAIN! Summer/Fall 2013 Vermont By Rail | 16 10 ► St. Albans, VT St. Albans Connecting Info: OS-onsite Nby-nearby stop The 10 th and final northbound stop of the Vermonter is St. The current St. Al- Attendant on duty - OS Restrooms - OS/Nby Food/Snacks - Nby (see Ads) Lodging - OS/Nby (see Ads-shuttle) ATM - Nby Shopping - Nby 1 mile Short term Parking - OS Long term Parking - OS Albans. Named after St. Albans in Hertfordshire, England, this bans station was built town was settled during and soon after the American Revolution in in 1900. The original 1785. This beautiful, fertile stretch of America is situated just off the train station is now eastern rim of Lake Champlain. Settlers could see the abundant a professional office opportunities in farming here - cattle farming, dairy farming, sheep building that houses farming, vegetable farming, tree farming, etc. This is a gener- the New England Cen- ous piece of land that nourishes just about anything that can be tral Railroad among planted. The railroad stepped in to fill the critical role of distributing other prominent local these abundant resources in the mid 19 th century. St. Albans be- businesses. The train came known as “Railroad City”. At one time, there were as many used to continue all the as 200 trains travelling through this depot on a daily basis. way to Montreal but was discontinued in 1995. A renaissance is underway though. Today, St. Albans is also a destination for many tourists. Noted Travel Connections: Taxi - Yes, (see Ad) Car Rental - Yes, (800)736-8222 Bike Rental - No Public Transportation - Yes GMTA (802) 223 7287 for its Victorian and Craftsman style of architecture built during the railroad era, many buildings connect travelers to the very similar resume traffic all the way from Washington, D.C. to Montreal are structures in England. Also called the “Maple Syrup Capital of the looking more promising each day as operating and customs World”, St. Albans sponsors the annual Vermont Maple Festival arrangements receive final reviews. every April. Lots of fun, fiddles and parades at the festival! The RE-connection to Montreal is in the works and plans to Get excited! What a Connection! ® wake up on the bright side RESTAURANT & LOUNGE Unique wine and food menu Banquets & Catering Fresh garden produce 1 Federal Street St Albans, VT 05478 (802) 524-0330 17 | Vermont By Rail Summer/Fall 2013 TAKE A TRAIN! YOUR TRAVEL DOLLARS GO FURTHER AT LAQUINTA INNS AND SUITES WITH: • FREE bright side breakfast ® • FREE wireless high-speed internet • Comfy pillow top beds • Heated indoor swimming pool •In-room coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board • Flat-panel TV’s with HD programming 1-800-SLEEPLQ (753-3757) LQ.COM La Quinta Inn & Suites 813 Fairfax Rd. St. Albans, VT 802-524-3300 The Amtrak Vermonter and Ethan Allen Express – Train Information Special $12.00 Fare The Vermonter and the Ethan Allen Express are the two Amtrak lines serving Vermont. They are separate train lines and do not join at this time. The Vermonter serves southern Vermont and continues north to St. Albans. The Ethan Allen route comes in from the Saratoga region of New York State and ends in Rut- land, Vt. Additional information on the Ethan Allen route and schedule can be found in the New York by Rail maga- zine or by visiting www.Amtrak.com. $12 Fares - One-way travel between any 2 Vermont destinations on The Vermonter line is available for only $12. Some rules apply. Reservations must be made by phone or online at least 24 hours before planned departure time. Enter promotional code V569 as needed. See Amtrak.com for further info. The Vermonter Schedule Southbound 8:58 9:25 9:49 10:01 10:30 11:07 11:12 11:23 11:33 11:48 12:20 1:19 Northbound AM AM AM AM PM AM AM AM AM AM PM PM Saint Albans Essex Jct Waterbury Montpelier Randolph White River Jct Windsor Claremont NH Bellow Falls Brattleboro Amherst MA 8:57 PM 8:17 PM 7:50 PM 7:36 PM 7:04 PM 6:22 PM 6:17 PM 6:08 PM 5:58 PM 5:42 PM 5:07 PM 4:20 PM 2:40 PM 2:50 PM 3:32 PM 4:30 PM 6:24 PM 8:03 PM 9:59 PM Springfi eld MA Hartford CT New Haven CT New York Philadelphia Washington DC 3:15 PM 3:00 PM 2:10 PM 1:22 PM 11:33 AM 9:50 AM 8:05 AM 2:05 PM Palmer (not a stop) 3:50 PM This issue’s Contest “ your Caption welcome here Submit to vtbyrail@gmail.com ” TAKE A TRAIN! Summer/Fall 2013 Vermont By Rail | 18 11/12 ► Rutland and Castleton, VT stop The Vermonter Schedule Rutland was once a railroad town; the headquarters, shop Southbound Northbound and center of AM the Rutland Albans The railroad shut 8:57 PM down 8:58 Saint Railroad. following a strike in PM 9:25 AM Essex Jct 8:17 9:49 AM Waterbury 1961 and the 7:50 PM railroad Rutland Connecting Info: 10:01 AM Nby-nearby 7:36 PM OS-onsite Montpelier station, yard and shops 10:30 PM on Randolph 7:04 PM Attendant duty - OS were sold to become 11:07 6:22 PM Short term AM parking - OS mall 11:12 term AM parking - OS River Jct the shopping 6:17 that PM White Long is adjacent to 6:08 cur- PM the 11:23 AM Windsor Food - OS/Nby 11:33 AM Claremont NH rent station. The 5:58 state PM Lodging- All around (.5 miles) 11:48 AM Bellow Falls purchased the 5:42 PM tracks Shopping - OS/Nby 12:20 PM Brattleboro in order to ensure their 5:07 PM ATM - Nby 1:19 PM Amherst MA 4:20 PM 2:05 PM Palmer (not a stop) continued economic PM 3:50 Travel Connections: contribution to 3:15 PM Vermont 2:40 PM Public Transport - Yes eld MA and leased operations PM 2:50 PM Springfi 3:00 Car rental - Yes 3:32 PM Hartford CT to Vermont Rail 2:10 PM System. 4:30 Taxi - Yes Haven CT PM New 1:22 PM The current sta- Bike rental - No 6:24 PM New York 11:33 AM tion was built 9:50 AM in 1999. 8:03 PM Philadelphia 9:59 PM Washington DC 8:05 AM Ethan Allen Express Schedule Southbound (weekdays) 8:00 AM Rutland 8:19 AM Castleton Northbound 8:58 PM 8:24 PM Scheduling Note: There are different weekend schedules. We suggest getting all updated schedule information at www.Amtrak.com or by call 800-USA-RAIL Designed by local firm, NBF architects, it echoes the previous larger station in its design. It is named for former Senator Jim Jeffords who helped secure the Federal Transit Agency that enabled its construction. Jeffords was a longtime champion of rail. It is planned that a former Rutland railroad passenger car will be moved adjacent to this station. This wooden pas- senger car had been operating in Vermont for more than 100 years on the Green Mountain Railroad. At Whitehall, New York, the Ethan Allen turns east and enters Vermont. After traveling north on the Canadian Pacific Railway (formerly the Delaware & Hudson Railroad), the train switches at Whitehall to the Clarendon & Pittsford Railroad, part of the Vermont Rail System. Castleton is the Castleton Connecting Info: home of Castleton OS-onsite Nby-nearby State College, Attendant on duty - OS located walking Short term Parking - OS distance from Long term Parking - OS the train station. Food - OS/Nby Lodging- All around (.5 miles) Nearby Green Shopping - OS/Nby Mountain College is ATM - OS/Nby in Poultney, further south. Travel Connections: The cute little Public Transport - Yes station, built in 1850 Car rental - Yes is one of the old- Taxi - Yes Bike rental - No est in the Amtrak system. The station was beautifully renovated and is owned by Mary Ann Jaubowski. Amtrak began stopping here in 2010 with a grand opening attended by the governor. 19 | Vermont By Rail Summer/Fall 2013 TAKE A TRAIN! TAKE A TRAIN! Summer/Fall 2013 Vermont By Rail | 20